For Pittsburg State University, our regional accrediting body is the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC). Pittsburg State University has successfully maintained continuous regional accreditation since 1915. In 2009, PSU was selected to be one of a handful of higher institutions of learning to help lead the way in a new and different approach to accreditation: instead of following the traditional model, which includes an exhaustive self-study, the university tested out a new model of accreditation, one that focuses on a major quality initiative or improvement "Pathway."

For Pittsburg State, our Pathway involved assessment and improvement of student learning. Our major initiative of assessing and improving student learning helped lead a new process that radically changed university accreditation across the region. In 2010 Pittsburg State was asked to create a sample Assurance Argument, one of the two documents that are part of the new self-study report that will be submitted by all accrediting schools in the future. By Spring of 2013, the Federal Compliance and Assurance Arguments were submitted electronically in preparation for the campus site visit.

In June 2013 Pittsburg State received notification of a successful reaccreditation. Under the new model, the university will follow the HLC Accreditation Timeline of periodic submissions over the course of the next 10 years.